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Distance Between Two Points GR10

The document explains the concept of distance between two points using the Pythagorean theorem. It provides a general formula for calculating the distance between points A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) as d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)²). An example is given to find the distance between points S(-2, -5) and Q(7, -2), resulting in a distance of 9.5 units.

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49 views3 pages

Distance Between Two Points GR10

The document explains the concept of distance between two points using the Pythagorean theorem. It provides a general formula for calculating the distance between points A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) as d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)²). An example is given to find the distance between points S(-2, -5) and Q(7, -2), resulting in a distance of 9.5 units.

Uploaded by

Paula Fana
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO POINTS

DEFINITIONS
A point is an ordered pair of numbers written as (𝑥; 𝑦).
Distance is a measure of the length between two points.

DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO POINTS


Points 𝑃(2; 1), 𝑄(−2; −2) and 𝑅(2; −2) are given.
Can we assume that 𝑅̂ = 90°? If so, why?
Apply the theorem of Pythagoras in △PQR to find the length of PQ.

To derive a general formula for the distance between two


points 𝐴(𝑥1 ; 𝑦1 ) and 𝐵(𝑥2 ; 𝑦2 ) we use the theorem of Pythagoras.
𝐴𝐵2 = 𝐴𝐶 2 + 𝐵𝐶 2 ∴ 𝐴𝐵 = √𝐴𝐶 2 + 𝐵𝐶 2
and 𝐴𝐶 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 ; 𝐵𝐶 = 𝑦2 − 𝑦1

Therefore : 𝐴𝐵 = √𝐴𝐶 2 + 𝐵𝐶 2 = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2


Therefore to calculate the DISTANCE between any two points ,( 𝑥1 ; 𝑦1 ) and
( 𝑥2 ; 𝑦2 ), we use :

Distance (d) = √(𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟏 )𝟐 + (𝒚𝟐 − 𝒚𝟏 )𝟐

(𝒙𝟏 − 𝒙𝟐 )𝟐 = (𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟏 )𝟐
NOTE THAT:
EXEMPLE

QUESTION
Find the distance between 𝑆(−2; −5) and 𝑄(7; −2).

Step 1. Draw a sketch

Step 2. Assign values to (𝒙𝟏 ; 𝒚𝟏 ) and (𝒙𝟐 ; 𝒚𝟐 )


Let the coordinates of S be (𝒙𝟏 ; 𝒚𝟏 ) and the coordinates of T be (𝒙𝟐 ; 𝒚𝟐 )
𝒙𝟏 = −𝟐 𝒚𝟏 = −𝟓 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟕 𝒚𝟐 = −𝟐
Step 3. Write down the distance formula
𝒅 = √(𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟏 )𝟐 + (𝒚𝟐 − 𝒚𝟏 )𝟐

Step 4. Substitute values

𝟐
𝒅𝑺𝑻 = √(−𝟐 − 𝟕)𝟐 + (−𝟓 − (−𝟐)) = √(−𝟗)𝟐 (−𝟑)𝟐

= √𝟖𝟏 + 𝟗 = √𝟗𝟎 = 𝟗. 𝟓
Step 5. Write the final answer
The distance between S and T is 9.5 units

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